Updates about my life & my writing. I'll also post musings about the art & resource links. |
Finally! I'm starting to utilize my blog to keep everyone updated on my status. I'll be posting news (personal and website-related), thoughts & musings, and occasionally links to other writing resources. Sometimes, I'll even post links to other sites that have inspired me; hopefully, it may inspire others, too. I have found that most of my ideas come from 'out of the blue' when something 'strikes my fancy'. It could be an overheard phrase, a news story, an old sci-fi movie, or a simple statement read in a book. For example, my latest inspiration came from a news article regarding excavation of an old archaeological site. The author quoted scientists who were explaining 'why' early man believed a certain way. It suddenly struck me that it was all supposition. How can we possibly know how early man felt? We ASSUME that his thought process and belief system is similar to our own, but our assumptions could be so far off-base that the truth is totally different. (I purposely left out the details of the assumption until after I post my story.) A long time ago, I read an article in Reader's Digest. It was a story written by an archaeologist in the future who had dug up an ancient ruin (which happened to be a hotel from present day). The story detailed the process with which the scientists analyzed their findings. Their deductions were outrageous! Toilet seats were seen as elaborate neckbands, toothbrushes were shown dangling as earrings, rooms were communal living arrangements for a family, etc. It was hilarious to look at our lives as people from the future would see them, but it also hit a chord with me - interpreting other people's lives from our point of view is not an accurate way of learning about them. Perhaps that "religious scroll" was comparable to our present day greeting cards - commonplace for the people at that time. |
Check out this great writer's resource! It's a site for reviews - get others to critique your work based on the criteria you want critiqued. You choose what they look for and you have the option to choose what qualifications the reviewer should have before reviewing you. Click the link below and add me as a friend if you join. http://urbis.com/XanderRiley I'm also really psyched up because I received an Award Icon for one of my short stories on Writing.Com - Timeless Treasures. Happy Me! Check out my portfolio at http://XanderRiley.Writing.Com Also, check out my websites at http://XanderRiley.Ning.Com, http://XanderRiley.LiveJournal.Com, http://XanderRiley.Multiply.Com, http://Urbis.Com/XanderRiley, and http://www.MySpace.Com/Xander_Riley ** Image ID #1307134 Unavailable ** |
I have been busy recently! I started a few networking sites on various domains to connect with other writers, readers, agents, etc. Eventually, I will drop most of them and only keep the ones that draw the most members. My intention is to reach out to as many networks as possible. http://XanderRiley.LiveJournal.Com http://XanderRiley.Writing.Com http://XanderRiley.Multiply.Com http://XanderRiley.Ning.Com http://Urbis.Com/XanderRiley and http://MySpace.Com/Xander_Riley Check them out and add me as a friend if you belong to any of these sites! You can e-mail me at: XanderRiley@Writing.Com or XanderRiley@LiveJournal.Com |
Well, I finally have some time to focus on my true writing - my novels! The next contest for which I have reserved a spot is not due for over a month; and, it's only a short poem. I have started entering three of my incomplete novels in my book section. So far, there is only the first chapter of each, plus part of a second chapter in two of them. I have sent my Rising Star Sponsor the passkey, but I'm not quite ready for anybody else to read them yet. In the meantime, I'll still be posting any poetry that strikes me and any short stories that 'pop into' my head. |
I have devoted the majority of my time recently to writing contests on another site, so I am just now getting back to my new stories. Hopefully, I will have quite a few new items to post in the coming weeks. |
Sorry, but I haven't had a lot of free time to complete any works. I have quite a few contests for which I am working on submissions, in addition to my three "novels in process" and a fourth series I'm currently developing. Hopefully, this week I should have at least a couple more poems posted and possibly one of the short stories. I doubt anyone is reading my blog yet, but I'll post this just in case! Enjoy. |